“Double Running Trail 3”
10 x 8" oil

You’d think that someone who’d done three paintings of this trail would know by now why it’s called “Double Running Trail.” I’ll find out eventually. I’ve been too busy blogging and painting to make the necessary inquiries. And you’d think I’d run out of things to say for paintings of trails. Each experience is different, the time of day differs, the sky changes. Nature has a gestalt kind of life of its own. Everything in sight is either living or has died, but the entire scene seems to be breathing in unison. Enough trail talk. I invite you to see the painting of a plein air buddy of mine at my other blog, On the Plein Air Trail. Also consider subscribing to my newsletter where I’m doing a hundred hundred-dollar paintings, one a day. Just double-click here. We’re coming up tomorrow on Day 39.

“Through the Pines”
14 x 11" oil on panel

September is such a perfect time to paint en plein air in North Carolina. The August heat is behind us and there’s an autumn crispness in the air. Both of these paintings were done Thursday near Clayton, NC. “Through the Pines” is a contender for a silent auction event taking place at Portofino on Sunday, October 18. Please click here and scroll down for more information about the Mountains-to-Sea Trail Celebration. Everyone’s welcome to attend.


“Name that animal.”
14 x 11" oil on panel

“Chrysalis”
6 x 6" watercolor


“Empty chrysalis”
6 x 6" watercolor


“Ta da!”
6 x 6" watercolor

Just over a week ago, I noticed the lovely delicate fennel plant in my garden was stripped of foliage. About a dozen or more caterpillars were feasting on its delicate leaves. When I went out to photograph the caterpillars two days later, they had gone. A single chrysalis was left in their place. I brought the chrysalis inside and proceeded to paint it in its first stage of development. Showing the chrysalis to a friend this morning, I notice it had turned much more brown in color. Next thing I knew, I had a wonderfully still model for as long as it took me to do the painting above. Almost as if he knew, he slowly waved his wings, letting me know it was time to go outside. As we were waiting for the sun to give him strength, I cautioned him about flying into cars and to be on the lookout for birds. The end of my story, I feel sure, is the beginning of his. The Black Swallowtail butterfly nonchalantly fluttered off. 

Portofino Trail No. 1
11 x 14" oil on linen panel

A portion of a new community’s trail system is being incorporated into North Carolina’s Mountains-to Sea Trail system. Portofino is a newly developed gated community about five miles east of Clayton, NC. I was invited to participate in a paint-out there on Saturday. The luxurious Equestrian community offers a plethora of opportunities for plein air painting. Participating artists in two separately scheduled paint-outs are being asked to focus on the trails in the community in support of the “Mountains-to-Sea-Trail Celebration and Art Benefit” that will take place at the development’s Equestrian Center on October 18.
Following are two other trails I painted there on Saturday.


Portofino Trail No. 2
11x14" oil on linen panel


Portofino Trail No. 3
11 x 14" oil on linen panel

“One last stamp”
7x7" watercolor

This painting was finished just in time for today’s holiday. It was created especially for Brenda’s Gallery 100, a collection of 100 paintings, being offered one day at a time, for 100 consecutive days.

 

If you are not already a subscriber to my email newsletter, this is where the 100 paintings are first being introduced and discussed. Clicking here will put you where you need to be to become a subscriber.

 

Have a great Labor Day, wherever you are!